The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-07-21
Then and Nowi
Gov. Nichols and Democratic Con-
vention Of 1879.

LA OoAJ Aoto3 oASOA SA0A' ASeSA~~AAS
had been Governor of Louisiana
about eighteen months, the Demo
cratic party of the State held con-
vention, and among other resolutions
adopted the following:
8. That Francis T. Nichols, by his prudent |
aud statesmanlike management of the many
delicate issues growing out Of the success OF
the party in 1876, and resulting in the firm es-
tablishment of the peoples government in
Louisiana, deserves the gratitude OF all Lou
isianians; that bis wisdom, justice and mode
ration in the administration of his high trust
ed by him in accepting the nomination. and
has won for him the respect of all as the Gov
ernor of the whole people of Louisiana, and
entities him to the support of all who love
good government.
Now, be it remembered, this was
after most if not all of the obnoxious
appointments made by Gov. Nichols
and now complained of by some
Democrats, had been made. If the
appointments were SO very bad, SO
impolstic, SO undemocratic, then-in
July 187S-they>were fresh in the
minds of the Democratic masses and
yet their delegates, in State Conven-
ton assembled declared that Gov.
Nichols management was prudent
and statesnanlike;" that the tissues"
were delicate" and that the result
was ssthe firm establishment of the
peoples government in Louisiana"
The convention further declare that
Gov. Nichols observes the gratitude
of all Louisianians and applauds s'his
wisdom, justice and moderation in
the administration Of his high trust"
&c.
Did that convention place on record
a deliberate, solemn, falsehood r.
Are Louisianians ungrateful? Is
Gen. Nichols less worthy now than
then? What has this soldier-son of
Louisiana done to forfeit the graft
tude Of his party, or the citizens Of
his native State, since his moderation,
and his craftsmanship was SO emphat-
ically endorsed III 1872 But, forget
| not, ye ssswaybacked" Democrats,
| that, this Democratic convention Of
1878, representing the Democratic
hosts who followed Nichols in the
canvass Of 1876, and stood firmly by
him on the ragged edge" and ''rug-
ged edge" Of the battle for posses
sion of the State government in 1877,
further asserted that to Nichols was
due, very largely at least, the praise
for "the firm establishment Of the
peoples government"
| Does not every Democrat in the
State, be he Bourbon or bolter, OF
Liberal administration, or anti
ministration- Ringster or Reformel
know that the election of Genera.
Nichols in 1876, and his sspruden,
and statesmanlike" management in
1877, made both Wilt and McEnery
possibilities as Governors But this
convention of 1878, went still further
and after resolving in favor OF Con
stitutional Convention, adopted tn,
| following:
10. That in favoring call for Constitu
tional Convention it is not purposed to dis
place or interfere with tho incumbent official
; in the State government.
There was no contest except fol
State Treasurer before the conven
ton Of 1878, and the friends of Mon
cure, and Burke and Richardson, can
} didates for Treasurer, all united il
clarifying Nichols and his admins
tration.
Il The fine sItalian hand" of Maio
: Burke tomahawked Moncure ant
then scalped Richardson, and E. A
Burke became State Treasurer, ant
then again a part of the Constitution
Of 1879, (as did the Louisiana Lot
terry Company and then followed tn
domination Of personalism in the ad
ministration of the State governmen
as contradistinquished from the ''peo
J ple's government" emphasized in til
platform of 1878, and later still, uu
der present incumbent Of the guber